Canadian Auto Sales Show Signs of Recovery
Canadian new-vehicle sales posted a second consecutive month of year-over-year growth in July, suggesting the market may be beginning to stabilize. An estimated 173,000 vehicles were sold, up 0.5% from July 2025 and representing the strongest July since 2019. The SAAR improved to 1.9 million units, its highest level since February. Industry forecasts have also improved, with 2026 sales now projected at approximately 1.89 million units.
Results varied considerably by manufacturer. Subaru led reporting brands with sales up 28.7%, followed by Volvo at 11.3%, Lexus at 9.6%, and Toyota at 8.7%. Toyota's RAV4 family remained particularly strong, with sales increasing 13.8%. For fleets, two months of improving sales is encouraging, but uneven OEM performance and continued shifts in ZEV demand suggest that vehicle availability, production schedules, and order timing will remain important considerations through the remainder of 2026.
2027 Ford F-150 Could See Major Engine Lineup Changes
Leaked dealer order guides indicate Ford may make significant changes to the F-150 engine lineup for the 2027 model year. The current 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 is expected to be replaced by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost as the standard engine on XL, STX, XLT, and Lariat trims. The new engine could offer more than 400 horsepower and around 440 lb-ft of torque, compared with 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft from the outgoing 2.7-liter.
2026 Subaru Forester Final Order Deadline
The final order deadline for the 2026 Subaru Forester Gas and Hybrid models is August 20, 2026. Fleets with planned Forester needs should submit orders before the cutoff to provide the best opportunity for vehicles to be scheduled and built.